In a new Q&A with Kathleen Blanco—who led a trade trip to Cuba in 2005 with other Louisiana officials and business leaders to begin establishing ties with the island nation—the former governor tells The Advertiser that Louisiana businesses are “not strangers to Cuba and are definitely in advantageous positions to continue and potentially increase the volume of exports.”
Now that President Obama has stated his intentions to normalize relations with Cuba, American businesses are eyeing the potential opportunities there. Blanco says personal relationships are key to doing business in Cuba, meaning the trip the Louisiana delegation took some nine years ago has put businesses here ahead of those in most other states. However, Blanco notes the current administration does not appear as open to doing business with Cuba as hers was.
“Based on Gov. Bobby Jindal’s negative criticism of the agreements fostered by Pope Francis and acted upon by Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro, I would be surprised to learn if this administration’s economic development efforts include Cuba,” she says. “It behooves us all to respect the fact that Pope Francis is concerned with people developing positive human relationships across the world and not with petty politics.”
Noting Cuba is in need of “a vast array of goods and services,” Blanco says a wide variety of Louisiana businesses could benefit from normalized relations via increased exports.
“Over time we should see greater need for shipping services from our ports. Louisiana rice, soybeans, poultry, pepper products and agricultural machinery could find stronger markets,” she says. “In the future we may provide liquefied natural gas and other energy needs. We can expect cultural exchanges between Louisiana and Cuba, sharing our respective music and culture.”
